Automatic load pickup switch



y 1957 A. w. EDWARDS 2,792,529

AUTOMATIC LOAD PICKUP SWITCH Filed Oct. 26, 1951 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Fig.2.

Insulation WITNESSES: INVENTOR I Andrew W. Edwor s. a gjll May 14, 1957 A. w. EDWARDS 29 AUTOMATIC LOAD PICKUP SWITCH Filed Oct. 26 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Insulation WITNESSES: INVENTOR A AndrewWEdwords.

BY 1/ WATTORNEY United States Patent AUTOMATIC LOAD PICKUP SWITCH Andrew W. Edwards, East McKeesport, Pa., as signor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 26, 1951, Serial No. 253,405

13 Claims. (Cl. 317-22) My invention relates generally to sectionalizing switches, and it has reference in particular to such switches as provide for automatically reclosing and sectionalizing the system when reconnecting the load.

Sectionalizing switches have been developed which lock open after a reclosing circuit breaker located between them and a source interrupts a fault current therethrough a predetermined number of times. In general, such switches must be manually closed, which takes a great deal of time, particularly on a large system. Automatic reclosing of such switches involves difliculties, in that during an outage, the usual diversity of system load is lost. That is, during the time the system was deenergized, a number of automatic equipments such as pumps, refrigerators and the like, which would normally be connected to the system only at random intervals, all are connected to the system for startin The resulting inrush current following reenergization of the line will generally be greater than the breaker can stand, and it will again open and then lock open.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a new and novel type of sectionalizing switch for effecting sectionalized load pickup in a distributionsystem after an outage.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a sectionalizing switch means for measuring the o time and delaying reclosing in accordance with the off time.

Yet another object ofmy invention is to provide in an automatic reclosing switch means for measuring the line voltage at the switch'and'delaying reclosing until the voltage recovers sufficiently. 1

it is also an object of my invention to provide in a sectionalizing device which counts interruptions of an overload before opening means for effecting automatic reclosing thereof to pick up load. I

It is an important object of my invention to provide means for eifecting delayed reclosing of a sectionalizing switch in accordance with the time the circuit has been deenergized.

Other objects will in part be obvious, and will in part be described hereinafter.

in accordance with my invention, a sectionalizing switch having separable contacts and electromagnetic counting means for separating them after a predetermined number of interruptions of an overcurrent in the circuit by a reclosing circuit breaker, is provided with a closing solenoid which is energized from the circuit through a time delay relay which has delayed operating and reset characteristics, soas to delay reclosing of the sectionallzer for an interval after the recloser has reclosed which interval is proportional to the time that the circuit has been deenergized.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference may be made to the following detailed description, which may be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an enlarged side elevational view in section 2 of a s ectionalizing switch embodying the principal features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in section of the counter shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the sectionalizing switch of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a distribution system showing a sectionalizing switch embodying my invention connected to operate with a reclosing circuit breaker; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of control relay which may be used in place of the one shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, it will be seen that a sectionalizer 17 is here shown as being enclosed within a metal tank 27, which is provided with an insulating liner 28, and which is surmounted by a top casting 29. This sectionalizer is substantially similar to that described in detail in the copending applications Serial Nos. 196,508 of James M. Wallace and Andrew Edwards, which issued on July 31, 1956, as Patent No. 2,757,321, and 189,082 of James M. Wallace, which issued on June 26, 1956, as Patent No. 2,752,453, which patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In accordance with the showings of these applications, an incoming line 15 enters through a bushing 31 which terminates inside of the tank. The circuit then continues, from line 15 through a conductor 32 connecting to a sectionalizer coil 19. From the sectionalizer coil 19, the circuit continues through a conductor 33 which is separated from the conductor 32 by insulation 30, back underneath the bushing 31 for the incoming lead 15, and thence to the terminal 34, which constitutes one of the stationary contacts of the sectionalizer which are disposed to be engaged by a movable bridging contact 20. Ordinarily, the sectionalizer has two bushings, each with its lead passing through the bushing, and each bushing terminates, at its bottom in one of the stationary contacts of the sectionaiizer, but since the drawings show an approximate central section through the sectionalizer, the second stationary contact is not visible. The movable contact 20 is shown as a contact bar or bridge, which presses up against the underside of the stationary contact 34 and the other stationary contact (not shown) 111 the closed position of the sectionalizer, and which is lowered by gravity, to operate the sectionalizer, upon the release of a pull rod 36, which is shown in the form of an upwardly extending insulating tube.

The sectionalizer 17 can be made to operate either in air, in an insulating oil, or other insulating fluid. It is sometimes desirable for the counter 37 to operate in oil, as it involves dashpot or fluid flow operation, as subsequently described, which is somewhat more difiicult to obtain in air, with the necessary time-constants. It is sometimes desirable to have the contacts 342t) also operating in oil. We have consequently illustrated our apparatus, by Way of example, as having the counter 37 and the contacts 34-24) immersed in oil 40 which is contained in the tank 27.

A counter-and-lockout mechanism 23 is segregated, into its component parts, consisting of the counter 37 and the operating mechanism 38.

The operating mechanism comprises a bellcrank trigger 53 disposed to support a lever 47 which is pivotally supported by a fixed pivot 48, and carries a pivot 44 which comprises one of the terminal points of a lever 43. A toggle mechanism, including a lever 46 pivotally connected to the lever 43 by a pivot 45, and an operatinghandle 60 pivotally supported on the casting 29 by a pivot 61, comprises the other terminal point of support for the lever 43. The pull rod 36 is connected to the lever 43 by a pivot 42. A The trigger 53 has a downwardly extend- 79 is disposed between the core 77 and ing abutment portion 56' which is adapted to be tripped when an upward movement of a trip pin 57 of the counter 37 raises said abutment point 56 of the trigger, whereupon the linkage of the operating mechanism permits the pull rod 36 and the movable contact member 20 to drop freely in the opening operation of the mechanisrn.

The counter 37 is suspended from the top'of the top casting 29, by means of a plurality of depending insuating supports or tubes 70, which support the base frame 71 of the counter.

The counter proper 37 comprises, as shown in Fig. 2, a vertically disposed tube 72, which is preferably made of brass or other non-magnetizable metal. The lower end of the tube is disposed to be closed by a plug 73 of iron or other magnetic material, while the top of the tube 72 is open. The series current coil 19 surrounds a portion of the tube 72, intermediate between its upper and lower ends. Immediately above the coil 19 is a perforated magnetizable plate 74, both it and the base plate 71 are perforated so as to surround the tube 72. The plates 71 and 74 serve as the two pole pieces of an electromagnetic circuit, the excitation of which is provided by the coil 19, and are connected as by bolt 75.

Inside of the tube 72 is a magnetizable core or armature 76, which is slidably movable, with a close fit of say perhaps 3 mils radial clearance, within said tube. The armature 76 normally extends partly above and partly below the level of the upper plate 74, being located by means of a shoulder 69 in the tube, while the plug 73 is disposed partly above and partly below the base plate 71. Both the armature 76 and the plug 73 thus extend partly within and partly without the space between the two plates 74 and 71.

In accordance with the teachings of the aforesaid Wallace application, the armature 76 may comprise two relatively movable elements, namely, a core 77 of iron or other magnetic material having a cylindrical extension 78 at the upper end, and a movable cap or piston 80 of a non-magnetic material such as brass, closely surrounding the extension. Annular grooves 83 may be provided about the piston 80, in which may be disposed snap rings 85 of iron or other suitable magnetic material to provide projecting magnetic ribs which are vertically spaced from each other by a spacing which is preferably approximately the same distance as the closable distance between the core 77 and the plug 73, or other such disposition which will magneticallv'lock the piston in its diflierent stepped positions against'unwanted vertical displacement, or slippage. A snap ring 83, of magnetic material may be disposed in a groove 87about the tube 72 in line with the plate 74 to assist in concentrating the magnetic flux between the plate and the rings 85. A compression spring the plug 73, so that when the coil 19 is'sufiiciently energized, such as by a fault current, the core 77 is drawn downwardly towards the plug, storing energy in the interposed compression spring 79, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Both the core 77 and the plug 73 are provided with central bores 31 and the lower end of each of these bores is provided with an orifice closable by means of a ball check valve 82, so that the fluid which is entrapped within the closed lower end of the. tube 72 resists any rapid downward movement of the piston 8Q, because of the closing of the ball check valve 82 in the plug 73, while the valves permit the free upward movement of the piston 80 and core 77. The entrapped fluid could be any gas or liquid having the required viscosity in comparison with the mechanical clearances which are provided. The idea isto permit the respective core 77 and piston 89 to move freely upwardly, in step-by-step motion, as will be subsequently described, while permitting them to drift back downwardly again, by fluid leakage, at a very slow rate.

At the top of the armature76 on the piston 80 is afiixed an upstanding. Pin. 84 thi k esses rw dl w a P above the open top end of the tube 72. This pin 84 is surrounded by a tubular tip or trip pin 57, which is capable of serving as an adjustable vertical extension of the pin 84. This vertical adjustment is effected in any one of a plurality of vertical spaced positions corresponding to the spacing between the core 77 and the plug 73, by means of a cotterpin 86, so that adjustment may be made for any desired number of counts, such as l, 2, 3 or 4, within the range of the counting mechanism 37.

In the operation of the counting mechanism 37, when the coil 19 is first energized with a current corresponding to the setting of the counter, the core 77 of the armature 76 is drawn downwardly toward the plug 73, so as to close the air gap'which separates the inner ends of said armature and plug. The fluid between the core 77 and plug '73 cannot move downwardly, to permit the armature and plug to come together, because of the presence of the fluid flow valve 82 in the plug 73, so the fluid between the armature and plug is, forced upwardly through the check valve 82 in the core 77, and hence the piston must remain still, while the core moves downwardly. The attractive force between the upper plate '74 and the upper magnetic ring. is. enhanced by the magnetic snap ring 83 on the tube 72, and the piston 80 is thus held securely in position as the armature 76 moves downward- 1y. After several such counting operations, the trip pin 57 strikes the abutment 56 and trips the operating mechanism 3,8 to open contacts 20-34.

In order to reclose the sectionalizer after it may have been opened, closing means 90 may be provided, comprising, for example, a solenoid coil 92 having a tubular sleeve 93 in which is slidably disposed a cylindrical annature 95 connected by a pin 96 to the lever 63 for pulling it downwardly into the toggle position as shown, and thereby rocking lever 43 clockwise about pivot 48 to raise the contact rod 36 and close contacts. 20-44. A contact element 97 may be secured to the armature 95 for controlling energization of the coil 92, so as to interrupt the flow of current through the closing coil when the sectionalizer is closed, and, in turn, set up a circuit therefor when the sectionalizer is open.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the sectionalizer 17 is disposed to be connected in series circuit relation with sections of a distribution circuit 5, with a reclosing circuit breaker 7 between the sectionalizer and a source conductor 6. The rccloser has a normally closed contact 8 in series with the circuit 5, and an armature 11 which is actuated by the overcurrent conditions in recloser coil 9 to separate the contacts. A counter mechanism 13 operates after a predetermined number of opentug and closing operations, usually four, to lock the contact 8 in the. open condition, as by releasing a suitable toggle operating mechanism 14.

The sectionalizer or sectionalizing switch 17 is shown in dot-dash outline with its moving contact 20 connected in circuit with sections 5 and 5 of the distribution circuit. Solenoid coil 19 of the counter 37 is connected in series with the moving contact, the trip pin 57 is disposed to strike trigger 53 to release lever 43 and. drop contact rod 36 to open contacts 20-34 as describedin connection with Fig. 1'.

The solenoid coil 92 is connected to a source of voltage such as the secondary 99 of a distribution or potential transformer 160 which is connected to the conductor 5. A voltage responsive control relay 102 is provided, having an operating; coil 193 operable to actuate moving contact 105 to complete a circuit with contacts 143'? for energizing coil 92 ifthe voltage of the circuit is at least about 80- per cent of its normal value. T imedelay means 110, which may be of a clockwork type if desired, is herein represented by a dashpot 112 having a piston 113 disposed to have retarded motion in both directions, so as to be delayed in resetting as well as operating. Thus the operating time of the relay will be delayed in proportion w t e m t relay e n dssser ze i at ea t up to the maximum delay value of the relay. The coil 103 is connected so as to be energized from the secondary 99 of the transformer 100. This relay may, as shown in Fig. 3, be mounted in a suitable box 115 on the top casting 29 of the sectionalizer. Normally the relay 102 is energized, but the circuit to the closing coil 92 is interrupted at contact 97.

When there is a fault on the distribution line, within the protective reach of an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, for example, at the point X, the recloser contact 3 thereof quickly opens, and quickly again recloses, but during the moment (12 cycles or more, in a 60-cycle line) when said recloser contact was open, the sectionalizer coil 19 is deenergized, reducing the attractive force between the armature 76 and plug 73, which were drawn together by the increased magnetomotive force of the fault circuit. The compression spring '79 between the core 77 and plug 73 expands, and pushes the core upward again, to the normal separation distance. During this action, however, fluid in the armature 76 is entrapped and cannot move downwardly, because of the fluid flow check valve 82 in the core 77, and hence the piston 80 and the core 7'7 must move upwardly together, which they are free to do, so far as fluid-action is concerned, because the lower check valve 82 in the plug 73 will open during such movement. The magnetic attraction between the upper plate 74 and the corresponding magnetizable ring 85 of the piston 81) of the armature 76 is now practically non-existent, because of the deenergization of the coil 19, and hence the piston 8t) of the armature 76 is notched upwardly by a distance corresponding to approximately the amount t compression of the spring 79. Upon reenergization of the coil 19 above the rated value, the magnetic attraction between the rings 85 and 88 serves to accurately position the piston 80 and thus correct any undershoot or overshoot.

If the fault is removed, the recloser stays closed and the counters 13 and 37 reset. However, if a fault continues on the distribution system, at a point X beyond the sectionalizer coil 19, reclosing of the recloser contact reenergizes the sectionalizer coil 19, and causes a second compression of the spring 79, in a manner already described. l'f the fault is still on the system, as has just been assumed, the recloser contact again opens, and a second upward stepping movement of the trip pin 57 is obtained. Thus the step-by-step movement of the counter mechanism continues. The ring 88 about the tube '72, being of a magnetic material, acts to concentrate the magnetic flux in the gap between the plate 74 and the rings 85, thus increasing the effective locking power thereof, and accurately positioning the piston each time to prevent cumulative error.

When the last upward stepping of the piston 80 of the armature 76 is obtained, depending upon the vertical positioning of the trip pin or tubular tip 57 usually on the third operation, this pin 57 comes into contact with the abutment 56 of trigger 53 during this last upward movement, releases the operating mechanism 38, and trips out the sectionalizer contact 20. It will be noted that this last upward movement of the trip pin 57 occurs during a time when the current in the sectionalizer coil 19 is off. In the operation of the recloser, the current remains off, that is, the recloser contact remains open for a minimum of 12 cycles (on a 60-cycle line), before the recloser contact recloses- The opening of-the sectionalizer-contact 20 requires something like two or three cycles, so that it is seen that the sectionalizer contact 20 opens during the current oil period, so that the sectionalizer contact 20 does not have to interrupt any substantial current.

When the recloser contact 8 closes the next time, and voltage is reapplied to the conductor 5, relay 102 will again be energized, and because of the relatively short duration of loss of voltage, it willalmost immediately complete tin-energizing circuit for closing coil 92, sincecontact 97 is closed in the open position of the section- 6 alizer. The lever 60 is actuated as to close the switch, but inasmuch as trip pin 57 requires a relatively long time to reset, the trigger 53 is not yet reset, so the switch re mains locked open with the lever 60 in the closed position, and performs as an ordinary sectionalizing switch, so that the recloser 7 is ettective to reenergize the distribution conductor 5.

Should a fault occur at Y, such that the recloser 7 opens momentarily, the sectionalizer 17 will remain closed, for there will be substantially no loss of diversity in the load factor and it is not likely that the load will have increased appreciably during the relatively brief outage for one operation of the recloser.

However, should the fault at Y be permanent, so that the recloser 7 goes through its full cycle and locks out a relatively long time, some 20 to 30 minutes for example, may elapse before a man is dispatched to reclose the recloser 7. During this relatively long time, it is likely that a great deal of load diversity has been lost. Refrigerators, pumps and other intermittent loads will all be connected to the system, awaiting the return of power.

Since the recloser 7 will be open during this interval, voltage will be removed from the conductor 5, and the time delay relay 102 will have been deenergized long enough that it will be almost reset, it having a reset time on the order of 20 to 30 minutes, for example. Accordingly, when the voltage is restored to the conductor section 5 by closing the recloser 7, the sectionalizer switch 17 being closed, the inrush current due to loss of diversity among loads such as pumps, refrigerators, etc., will usually be sufficient to cause the recloser 7 to trip out on successive reclosures, until the overcurrent through the sectionalizer switch 17 causes the sectionalizer to count three openings and then lock out.

The recloser 7 may then close and will be able to stay closed since the inrush current will be reduced by dropping the load beyond switch 17. When the recloser is first reclosed, voltage is applied to relay 102, but it does not have sufiicient time to reclose before the recloser 7 opens. When the recloser recloses and stays closed, voltage is applied to relay 102, and when it reaches about of normal, the relay will commence to pick up. Due to the accumulated time delay during the locked out time of the recloser, the relay 102 cannot immediately close contacts 1i)5107. During this time, the counter 37 will return to its reset position as shown in Fig. 1, so that it is clear of the trigger 53, and the mechanism may then reset. When the relay 102 finally closes contacts 105407 at the end of its timing period, closing coil 92 is energized and actuates lever 60 in a clockwise direction to restore the toggle relation of levers 46 and 60, and rotate lever 43, thus raising contact rod 36 and closing switch contacts 2034. The coil 92 is deenergized when the contacts 97 of the closing relay open, and the switch is held closed by the toggle levers 60 and 46.

Instead of using a control relay such as 102 with delayed operation in both directions, a similar relay 102 may be used, having a dashpot 112' with a piston 113' disposed to have delayed closing and substantially instantaneous opening. Thus when the recloser 7 opens for a fault as at X in Fig. 4, and the sectionalizer switch opens after three operations of the recloser, the control relay 102 opens immediately, and when the recloser recloses, the sectionalizer switch 17 recloses when relay 102' operates after a delay, during which the counter 37 has reset. Closing coil 92 is then energized to reclose the sectionalizer switch in the usual manner.

By providing a sectioualizing switch with a closing solenoid and time delay means of the type described, I have made it possible for the continuity of service to be increased. Not only does a sectioualizing switch embodying the features of my invention provide for automatically sectioualizing the load when the inrush current is i sufficient to'cause the recloser to trip outupon closing after an extended outage, so as to enable the recloser to estates 7 close and remain closed with but a portion of its initial load, but it also functions to sectionalize the load in much the usual mannei when it is itself subject to the fault current. A load pick up sectionalizing switch embodying th e principal features of my invention is simple and inexpensive. to build and is inexpensive to maintain.

While I have illustrated my invention in exemplary forms of embodiment, which are now preferred, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible of considerable modification, by way of additions, omissions and substitution of various equivalents, without departing from the essential spirit of my invention, particularly in its broader aspects. it is desired, therefore, that the appended claims shall be accorded the broadest construction consistent with their language.

{claim as my invention:

1.]In a sectionalizing device, separable contacts, an operating mechanism therefor electroresponsive means operated by a predetermined number of interruptions of a circuit only while carrying a current in excess of a predetermined value to effect operation of the mechanism to separate said contacts, electromagnetic means operable to actuate the mechanism and reclose said contacts, a voltage relay operable to effect energization of the electromagnetic means only after the voltage of the circuit reaches a predetermined value on the order of 80 percent of its normal value, and time relay means delaying both the operation of the voltage relay and reset of the voltage relay from the time that voltage is removed from the circuit.

2. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, an operating mechanism therefor, electroresponsive counting means having a member advanced cumulatively during removal of voltage for effecting operation of the mecha nism to effect separation of said contacts after a predetermined number of interruptions of an overcurrent in the circuit, electromagnetic means operable to close said contraits, and time delay means having a member slowly advanceable in one direction to an operating position to effect energization of said electromagnetic means at a time after restoration of voltage to the circuit, said member being biased. to slowly reset in the opposite direction when voltage is removed so that delay is provided which varies with the time during which voltage is removed from the. circuit.

3. A circuit interrupter comprising, separable contacts, operating means therefor, electromagnetic means operable to actuate the operating means to close said contacts, and means includinga time delay device having a part movable slowly in opposite directions, said part having biasing means moving it in one direction and voltage means'moving it in the other in response to voltage to delay operation of said electromagnetic means for a long time after restoration of voltage to the circuit if the voltage has been removed for a long time and for a short time if the voltage has been removed therefrom for a short time.

4. A sectionalizing switch comprising, separable contacts, an operating mechanism therefor including releasable means effecting separation of said contacts to inter rupt a circuit, electromagnetic counting means releasing said releasable means actuated by a predetermined number of interruptions of an overcurrent in said circuit which remove voltage therefrom and during the last of said interruptions, and time delay means effecting reclosure of said; contacts an interval oftime after voltage is re storedto the circuit,'s a id time. delaymeanshaving a part operable slowly to an operating position to eifect closure of said contacts and biased to return slowly to an initial position sothat said. interval varies with the time the. voltage has. been removed.

.5. Acircuit interrupter comprising, separable contacts, an operatingmechanism therefor, means operating said e han sm w. fi stss ar i f. ids ntast s: arse.- redetermin d; v rwr nt. q difiqa re reclosing means operating said mechanism to reclose said contacts including time delay means variably delaying reclosure of said contacts, said time delay means having a member with voltage means operating it slowly from an initial position to an operating position to effect operation of the reclosing means in response to voltage, and biasing means causing it to return slowly to said initial position when voltage is removed so that the delay in reclosing is in accordance with the time voltage removed from the circuit.

6. In combination, an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, and a circuit interrupter connected in circuit therewith having separable contacts, an operating mechanism for said contacts, electromagnetic means for effecting operation of the mechanism to separate said contacts in response to a predetermined plurality of circuit interrupting operations of the circuit breaker, reclosing means operable to actuate the mechanism to reclose said contacts, and time delay means having a member with voltage means causing it to be slowly advanced in response to voltage to effect operation of the reclosing means to reclose said contacts after an operating time following interruption of the circuit, said member having biasing means biasing it in the opposite direction to slowly reset when voltage is removed so that the operating time is proportional to the time the circuit breaker is open.

7. An automatic sectionalizing switch comprising, separable contacts, operating means therefor, electroresponsive means operable only in response to a predetermined number of interruptions of a current in excess of a predetermined normal value to actuate said mechanism to eifect separation of said contacts during the last of said interruptions and having a predetermined reset time before said contacts can be reclosed, operating means operable to reclose said contacts, and time delay means having a movable part slowly advanced to an operating position in response to the application of voltage to the switch, said part being biased to slowly reset from said operating position in response to a loss of voltage at the switch to provide a variable. timing interval to delay operation of said operating means upon return of voltage.

8. An automatic sectionalizing device comprising, separable contacts, operating means therefore, means operable to effect operation of the operating means to effect separation of said contacts actuated by a predetermined number of interruptions of a circuit and during the last one of said interruptions, means actuating the operating means to reclose said contacts, and means including an electromagnetically operated member slowly advanceable to an operating position to connect the reclosing means to eifect operation thereof after an interval of time, said member being biased by a spring to return slowly to an initial position when voltage is removed so that said interval varies with the time between said circuit condition and the restoration of voltage to the system.

9. A sectionalizing device comprising, separable con.- tacts, an operating mechanism actuating said contacts including a lever connected to one of said contacts atone point and having a pivotalconnection with toggle means at another point, releasable means supporting the lever at yet another point, electromagnetic counting means actuated by a predetermined number of interruptions of an overcurrent in a circuit to release said releasable means during the last of said interruptions to eifect operation of said lever to separate said contacts and break said toggle. means, closing means actuating said toggle means to reciose. said contacts, and time delay means having.

delayed operating and reset movement operable to delay: operation of the closing means.

10. A sectionalizing device for a circuit comprising,

separable contacts, an operating mechanism therefor, counting means progressively actuated by a predetermined number of closely consecutive circuit interruptions to eifect operationof the mechanism to tacts. ela wmasnsfic ean t ng e m ch nism to separate said con;

reclose said contacts, time delay means having a member with voltage means operating it in one direction slowly to an operating position in response to restoration of volt age to the circuit to provide an energizing circuit for said electromagnetic means, said member having a spring biasing it to return slowly in the opposite direction to an initial position when voltage is removed from the circuit so that said energization is effected at a time after restoration of voltage to the circuit which is delayed in accordance with the duration of loss of voltage from the circuit, and switch means operable to deenergize said electromagnetic means in response to closure of said contacts.

11. The combination in an electrical circuit, of an automatic reclosing circuit breaker having separable contacts with operating means therefor for actuating the contacts to interrupt the circuit in response to a current in excess of a predetermined value and operable to recluse; and a sectionalizing device having separable contacts connected in circuit relation With those of the breaker, an operating mechanism therefor, an electromagnetic counter connected in circuit with both of said contacts and having a member advanced to efiect operation of said mechanism to separate the contacts of the scctionalizing device only by a predetermined plurality of separations of the contacts of the breaker, means actuating said mechanism to reclose the contacts of the sectionalizing device, and time delay means, having a contact actuating element with voltage means operating it in one direction in response to voltage and biased in the opposite direction to reset, said element having delayed operating and reset characteristics, connected to the circuit to efi'ecting operation of the reclosing means an interval of time after the breaker recloses and applies voltage to the circuit, which interval varies with the interval during which voltage is removed.

12. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, an operating mechanism therefor releasable means maintaining said mechanism in a position with the contacts closed, electromagnetic means actuated by a predetermined number of closely consecutive circuit interruptions to release said releasable means only during the last of said interruptions, said electromagnetic means having a predetermined time delay for reset during which the contacts cannot be reclosed, reclosing means operable to actuate the mechanism to reclose said contacts, and time delay means independent of said electromagnetic means operable to provide an operating circuit for the reclosing means a variable time after voltage is applied to the circuit, said time delay means having a member advanced slowly to an operating position in response to voltage and biased to return slowly to an initial position upon loss of voltage so that time covers a range extending from a time shorter ll'lltil the reset time of the electromagnetic means to a time greater than said reset time depending on the duration of loss of voltage.

13. A circuit interrupter comprising, separable contacts, an operating mechanism therefor, means including a counter member advanced by a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interruptions of relatively short duration for ellecting operation of the mechanism and causing separation of said contacts during the last of said interruptions, said member having a delayed reset time longer than the time between such successive interruptions, and contact closing means operated by the restoration of voltage only after an opening in response to a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interruptions of short duration, only when followed by a circuit interruption of longer duration during which the counter member resets, to automatically close said contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,272,444 Holliday July 16, 1918 1,272,447 Jacobs July 16, 1918 1,795,198 Connell Mar. 3, 1931 2,068,620 Spurgeon Jan. 19, 1937 2,515,530 Schindler July 18, 1950 2,523,984 Edwards Sept. 26, 1950 2,561,287 Painter July 17, 1951 2,590,083 Atkinson et al Mar. 25, 1952 2,654,053 Wallace et a1. Sept. 29, 1953 2,688,672 Edwards Sept. 7, 1954 2,705,295 Edwards Mar. 29, 1955 

